No question my album of the year is Twilight Cinema by Major Parkinson by a whole load of miles. I cant say theres been much thats really grabbed me this year except that. Even the new Dog Fashion album which I'm predisposed to like was not much more than perfectly decently fine.

Of course it would be. One of my Favourite Bands Ever puts out an album this year? What else am I going to pick? Predictable, sure, and there were plenty of very, very interesting releases that I’ve bought this year. It's just that for pure enjoyment, nothing can beat Anaal Nathrakh.So, sit back, put your headphone on, turn the volume up and enjoy the end of the world as interpreted through Industrial Blackened Metal/Grindcore.

There are several albums I have loved this year, so just to keep Subbeh happy...

*please note, no linkies as I am at work.

Bloodbath - Grand Morbid Funeral

Sweden's finest do a slight lineup change and unleash another beautiful slice of good old fashioned death metal. Delicious.

Carcass - Surgical Steel

An album to banish the shivering memories of Swan Song - opens brutally, and delivers brutality to the last riff.

Darkest Era - Severance

One to appeal to broader tastes - good and heavy, but with clean vocals. This is a belter of an album that any fan of metal should try out.

Decapitated - Blood Mantra

Didn't get Sub's vote of confidence, and while I get where he was coming from this one has had a good few plays while I blast the Jag up and down the motorway to and from work. Good, heavy, angry, what's not to like?

Devin Townsend Project - Z2

While it hasn't blown me away like some of his other work, it is still fucking good.

Casualties of Cool

Mr Townsend's other project. His album of psychedelic space cowboy music is just sublime, possibly my AOTY, reinforced by the frankly mesmerising performance at Union Chapel (right Mantis?)

Ghost Brigade - IV - One With The Storm

Ghost Brigade producing more Ghost Brigade - not quite up there with the awesome Isolation Songs but still a damned fine spot of melodeath.

Opeth - Pale Communion

Much more coherent than Heritage (their worst to date imo), but still a bit lightweight - I really hope that with the weighting of their recent live shows with their heavier (and growlier) material that a full return to form is coming.

The Haunted - Exit Wounds

Another decent straight down the line album from The Haunted. Solid and a return to form.

Jack White - Lazaretto

More Jack White-styled blues. What's not to like?

Triptykon - Melana Chasmata

As a big Celtic Frost fan from back in the day, Tom Warrior can do no wrong with the exception of having a silly name. Triptykon are immense, and this second album is sublime.